Editorial Board
U.S. Needs Wiggle Room to Escape Unesco Trap
This article is for subscribers only.
The Church of the Nativity in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem could use a few repairs, but is it in peril? The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization says so, having declared the church an endangered World Heritage site last week.
Palestinians made hay arguing that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank threatened the humble church, said to mark the birthplace of Christ. A UN expert committee disagreed, concluding it faced no danger. The U.S. objected to the “endangered” designation, claiming it was a means to attack Israel, but lost the 13-6 vote.